With a many rapes going unreported at the University, an open-forum student discussion addressing instances of date and acquaintance rape will be held at 7:30 tonight in the HUB Ballroom.
On college campuses like Penn State's, one in eight women students will be raped during her college years, according to current statistics released by the Center for Women Students. Yet, University police estimate that only three to five rapes are reported annually, according to the Campus Life Assistance Center.
Tonight's student-to-student discussion, titled "Rape: Is It Here? Let's Talk," will be sponsored by Student Counselors at the Campus Life Assistance Center.
The purpose of this open discussion is to make both men and women aware of exactly what rape is, and that it happens at the University, said Holly Garlitz, program coordinator from Student Counselors.
Besides a film clip titled, "Someone You Know," the program will consist entirely of students exchanging thoughts on topics such as dating and how certain stereotypes and myths about the opposite sex can lead to rape, Garlitz said.
Garlitz said the program will include a panel of students from various organizations which are playing some part in making students aware of the issue of rape.
In addition to the film clip and panel discussion, a panel of experts, including Karen Feldbaum, assistant director of residence halls; Patty Johnstone, assistant director of the University's Center for Women Students and a rape crisis counselor; and Pam Gerber, a victim and witness advocate from University Safety, will answer questions during the discussion.
Other key organizations involved with the planning of the program include Residence Hall Programs, Panhellenic Council, Interfraternity Council, Center for Women Students, Penn State Escorts and University Safety.
"The aim of the program is not to lecture other students," Garlitz said, "but to promote discussion and thought about stranger rape and date/acquaintance rape at Penn State."
"As students helping students' with this program, we hope to raise the awareness level of the Penn State community about rape at our University including facts, myths, feelings," Garlitz said. "And by showing people what they can do to make it safer for themselves and others."
